Parepa-Rosa English Opera: Maritana

English Opera at the Théâtre Français is proving a grand success. Crowded houses have been the rule during the entire week, and the operas as a general thing have been exceedingly well given. To-night ‘The Bohemian Girl’ will be given, on Tuesday ‘Sonnambula,’ Wednesday ‘Maritana,’ and on Thursday the troupe will again sing in Brooklyn.”

“A very pleasant representation of Wallace’s ‘Maritana’ was given last evening at the French Theatre, by the artistes who, during the past week, sang in three different operas. That a fourth one, familiar though it be to several of the singers, should be produced so soon after the opening of the season, speaks well for the industry of the company. And its thoroughly satisfactory performance bears testimony to talent as well. The dramatic qualities of the story, and the excellence of the score, were both done full justice to. So strongly does the play of ‘Don Cæsar de Bazan’ always touch the sympathies of an audience, and so happily has Wallace illustrated it with music of a popular order, that the opera always commands attention, even when interpreted passably only. The artistes of Mme. Parepa’s troupe bring to its execution unusually fresh and cultured voices, and some of them a greater willingness to act than is usually to be recorded in a similar connection. Mr. Castle has notably improved in the latter respect, and although his embodiment of the lyric Don Cæsar will not efface from one’s memory a remembrance of the great actors who have been identified with the part, it is commendable as exhibiting spirit and activity, besides being deserving of all praise for its vocal merits. Mr. Campbell will not excel Mr. Castle in acting, but can be written of with quite as much approval for his good singing as Don Jose de Santarem. Mme. Parepa-Rosa was, of course, Maritana. She sang admirably, and although her stage bearing rarely adds to the truthfulness of the theatrical picture she figures in, she was to be credited last evening with a very successful effort to give significance as well as voice to the pathetic couplets in the first act. An agreeable incident of the entertainment was the first appearance this season of Mrs. E. Seguin. She was very cordially received, and won a familiar tribute of applause and flowers for an impersonation of Lazarillo, totally unmarred by awkwardness or affectation, and proportionably [sic] interesting and effective. We need but add to this reference that the choruses and orchestra were in harmony throughout the night; and that the scenery, still wet from the magic brush of Calyo, was wholly appropriate. ‘Maritani’ [sic] will be repeated at the French Theatre to-morrow.”

Brief. “The Parepa troupe at the French Theatre gave last night a very pleasing performance of Wallace’s ‘Maritana,’ and promise to repeat it on Friday night. Parepa sings delightfully in this work, and finds able support in Mr. Castle and Mrs. Seguin.”

“English Opera.—The Parepa-Rosa opera company last night presented Wallace’s favorite opera, ‘Maritana,’ for the second time this season. The house was well filled in every part by an audience which showed by its well timed applause the possession of critical taste and refined judgment. The performance was a very enjoyable one and passed off with great smoothness. The orchestra, under the leadership of Carl Rosa, gave the music with more than usual taste and correctness, and the choruses were also well executed. Parpea-Rosa as Maritana shared the honors of the evening with Mrs. Seguin and Messrs. Campbell and Castle. Mrs. Seguin was in excellent voice, and in Lazarillo’s song at the commencement of the second act received a very enthusiastic encore. Castle’s Don Cæsar was an excellent piece of acting as well as good in singing. The piece was well put upon the stage and of course very elegantly dressed. In the course of the performance Carl Rosa performed a violin solo which secured the most enthusiastic encore of the evening.”